Running Engine with Valve Covers Off

[cwestra]

How much oil would get flung around outside the engine if I were to idle my engine with the valve covers removed?

[wagesofsin]

well , if ya dont mind it getting on the exhaust and smokin you out.... hahaha.  in reality though , for a very short time , it wouldnt be that bad , just have a rag handy .

[Chryco Psycho]

use a peice of 5-6" wide cardboard along the lower edge of the head to catch the splash off the rockers , it is nowhere nears as bad as any engine that oils through the pushrods with the oil holes pointed straight up though 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I don't know how long you plan to idle, but hopefully not at high speed.     

[bb71challenger]

When I changed the top end on my engine I had heard that there might be an issue with getting the new rocker shafts right, keeping the rockers from getting oil. I ran the engine for a short time making sure that the rockers were all getting oil. The cardboard trick sounds useful too.

[Topcat]

I've heard of some that have taken old valve covers and cut the tops off.
I haven't done it so I can't warrant it's effectiveness.

[CHL2T]

I've heard of some that have taken old valve covers and cut the tops off.
I haven't done it so I can't warrant it's effectiveness.

Now there's an idea

[FJ5_440]

I've heard of some that have taken old valve covers and cut the tops off.
I haven't done it so I can't warrant it's effectiveness.

Years ago I had a set of valve covers that I cut down for just this purpose -- they were the stock ones off of my 70 440.  Now they would be worth several times what the chrome ones I put on the car are worth.  You never know what will become valuable.

[422STROKER]

I had mine off when I was fine tuning the Preload on my motor.  Got messy after about thirty seconds....  But worked well.

Tom

[dodge freak 2]

Just get the cheapest set of covers on ebay and cut the tops off. I like using studs instead bolts to hold the valve covers down. With studs it be very easy to drop those cut covers on..the studs hold the gasket down too so the cover comes off but the gasket stays on the head. I am using Mr Gasket utla seal--not the reusable gaskets yet am able to reuse them with no leaks.

[cwestra]

Thanks for all the input.